Since you mis-interpret internet posts, how much more the bible?

PaulCyp1

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God provided just one way. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to Earth, to save us from our sins. Jesus founded one Church, said it was to remain one, and promised that one Church "The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth", and "Whatsoever you bind upon Earth is bound in Heaven", and "He who hears you hears Me". That one Church compiled the Bible in the 4'th Century, from its own writings (and early Jewish writings), and declares as binding truth that these 73 texts are the inspired Word of God. Therefore, God Himself has declared it to be so. Likewise, His Church is the sole authoritative interpreter of its own writings and its own book. Which is why it remains one in belief, one in teaching, one in worship, one in biblical understanding throughout the world after 2,000 years. Many have defected from His Church within the past few hundred years, and founded their own churches, supposedly based on "the Bible alone" (which of course means the personal biblical interpretations of their many founders). Result - so far, over 6,000 conflicting denominations, each claiming to follow "the Bible alone", yet the teaching of each denomination contradicting the teaching of the others. And that doesn't even include the 20,000+ so-called "non-denominational" Protestant churches. Truth cannot contradict truth, so obviously a tremendous amount of untruth is being taught by such churches.
 
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timothyu

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Many have defected from His Church within the past few hundred years, and founded their own churches,
His church was a movement, a counter-culture to the world of man... not an institution. Once people latch into His Gospel of the Kingdom and how it opposes the world of man, the multi churches becomes a moot point as they were made in man's image using God. None run contrary to the world of man, especially those who joined the governance of man.
 
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TJB

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When internet posts are mis-interpreted so easily, how can we be sure of a correct interpretation of bible passages now that the writer of said passages cannot be questioned in person?

Very interesting thread, I have enjoyed reading through it, Thank you!

I came across a thing called the BibleProject a few years ago - it is excellent I think - Often use it in schools and giving talks ..... their mini series around themes are excellent - This is a link to one video as part of the Introducing the Bible, it has certainly helped me think about how I intepret it...... be interested to hear any reactions Watch: Biblical Literary Styles Bible Intro Video | BibleProject™
 
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Gregory Thompson

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Are you sure you've interpreted that correctly?
Who knows, I have been listening to the old testament recently and have noticed how shrewdly God treated Jacob.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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Very interesting thread, I have enjoyed reading through it, Thank you!

I came across a thing called the BibleProject a few years ago - it is excellent I think - Often use it in schools and giving talks ..... their mini series around themes are excellent - This is a link to one video as part of the Introducing the Bible, it has certainly helped me think about how I intepret it...... be interested to hear any reactions Watch: Biblical Literary Styles Bible Intro Video | BibleProject™
I think I saw this site before, I tried to navigate it, but I think it is designed for smart phones. Not sure where the videos are.
 
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TJB

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I think I saw this site before, I tried to navigate it, but I think it is designed for smartphones, not sure where the videos are.

I think they have been developing it quite a lot over the last couple of years - that link through works on a laptop, I know they also put everything on youtube
 
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Gregory Thompson

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I think they have been developing it quite a lot over the last couple of years - that link through works on a laptop, I know they also put everything on youtube
Must be my adblocker, sometimes it makes sites not display correctly because it removed elements that are not secure.
 
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dms1972

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I have found Donald Bloesch helpful - his volume on Holy Scripture has some fine reflections on the topic of Hermenutics. I'll quote a paragraph or two:

"It is commonly thought in lay circles more than in clerical that the surface meaning of the biblical text is sufficient and that this meaning is available to any searching person. But more often than not what first appears to be the sense of the text may not at all be the meaning that the Spirit of God is trying to impress on us through this text. It is not enough to know the words of the text: we must know the plenitude of meaning that these words carry for the community of faith at that time and for our time.

Scripture itself calls for interpretation of the mysteries it contains. A mere recital of words of the Bible does not suffice. We are covenant partners with the Holy Spirit in the interpretation of the text. In Acts 8 we witness the missionary Phillip interpreting the Old Testament to the Ethiopian eunuch. Without an interpreter Isaiah 53 would probably have remained a closed chapter to the Ethiopian. One should note that Phillip was expounding the Scripture in the light of Scripture's own criterion - the Gospel of divine grace revealed in Jesus Christ. The Bible can be interpreted only in its own light. Philip was the instrument, but the Spirit of God, the divine author of Scripture, was the interpreter. Scripture is the norm, but this norm must be illumined by the Spirit as we seek to assess the significance of the text for our lives in the here and now.

In the hermenutic task we should focus on what Scripture intends to teach us. What Scripture intends to teach is what the Spirit intended to say to the people of that time in this text and what he intends to say to us today in a different period of history. The Bible is not a systematic set of rules that are more or less self-evident: It is closer to a uranium mine that yields its precious metal only after a careful and painstaking search. Our task is to penetrate below the surface meaning of Scripture in order to dig out the treasure of the divine wisdom that resides within its depths."

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and lay up my commandments with thee; so as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thy heart to understanding; Yea, if thou cry after discernment, and lift up thy voice for understanding; If thou seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures: Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5
 
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JohnD70X7

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This is precisely why we are not supposed to go by the interpretations of man at all.

2 Peter 1:20–21 (AV)
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

1 John 4:1 (AV)
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Acts 17:11 (AV) ***
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (AV)
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Deuteronomy 29:29 (AV)
29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Isaiah 28:9–13 (AV)
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

*** Psalm 119:105 (AV)
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (AV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalm 138:2 (AV)
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Proverbs 25:2 (AV)
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
 
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JohnD70X7

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This is precisely why we are not supposed to go by the interpretations of man at all.

2 Peter 1:20–21 (AV)
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

1 John 4:1 (AV)
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Acts 17:11 (AV) ***
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (AV)
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Deuteronomy 29:29 (AV)
29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Isaiah 28:9–13 (AV)
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

*** Psalm 119:105 (AV)
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (AV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalm 138:2 (AV)
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Proverbs 25:2 (AV)
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

Human nature is a sin nature and not to be trusted. Jesus attributes human nature to the devil (John 8:44 / Matthew 16:23). Most folks aren't even aware of this.
 
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Mountainmike

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The correct interpretation was passed down from the first generations “ paradosis” the faith handed down ( often referred as tradition, but the present colloquial meaning is misleading, it means simply faith handed down), and disputes reconciled by councils acting with the power to “bind and loose” doctrine.

So studying early fathers and councils answers the questions.
 
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Loversofjesus_2018

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The Holy Spirit helps us correctly interpret the Bible. You can talk to Him and ask Him these things.

View attachment 295047
5 people all have the Holy Spirit and have different interpretations... all claim it came from the spirit. Now what?
 
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Loversofjesus_2018

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The correct interpretation was passed down from the first generations “ paradosis” the faith handed down ( often referred as tradition, but the present colloquial meaning is misleading, it means simply faith handed down), and disputes reconciled by councils acting with the power to “bind and loose” doctrine.

So studying early fathers and councils answers the questions.
Couldn’t the early fathers and councils have been wrong as well?
 
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Mountainmike

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Four issues.

First, the record is continuous from the disciples of the apostles onwards. The letter of ignatius to smyrneans describing a eucharist of the real flesh, valid only if presided by a bishop in succession, was written by a disciple of John the apostle : John knew what he meant by John 6. Paul tells us to stay true to what is handed down, also that profaning the Eucharist can be fatal “ some have died”. That interpretation of Eucharist is continuous through the millenium.

Second, all Christians rely on these early fathers. In council heresies were defined, the creed was written, and most importantly they are responsible for choosing the New Testament. Both what is in it and what was excluded. If you do not trust early fathers you have no new testament. They declared the first canons heretical eg marcions. The same early fathers were outspoken not just on the Eucharist, but also such as intercession and role of Mary

Third and importantly: Jesus promises his church will be one, that the devil will not prevail against it.Matthew promises the gospel will be preached to the end of time. To believe the church apostatised in the first generations only to be restored over a millennium later is claiming Jesus broke his promise. I don’t think so!

Finally - scripture says “ the pillar and foundation of truth is the church” which is a physical church because it is “ the household of God” and given power to settle disputes , and to give definitive judgement on doctrine. “ bind and loose” . So the only question is which physical church? It must be one that existed since the beginning. There is only one....




Couldn’t the early fathers and councils have been wrong as well?
 
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Mayflower1

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5 people all have the Holy Spirit and have different interpretations... all claim it came from the spirit. Now what?

I would guess to focus on what they have in common. Holy Spirit does help us interpret the Bible correctly, but we are still going to get it wrong. We were not made omniscient like God is omniscient. But what Christian denominations have in common is the core of salvation and how to live a life in Christ Jesus . The church wasn't originally split like it is today. Denominations help in likeminded beliefs, but then there are those who lose sight on what is important. What is important is Christ and what He taught.
 
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